Indian Ambulance Fleet Left to Rust at Health Offices HQ

A fleet of 216 ambulances attached to the state-run Emergency Management and Research Institute (GVK-EMRI), popularly known as '108' services, is lying uncared for on the premises of the deputy director of health services (DDHS) office in the city Trichy, India, for over a year, according to a report by the Times of India.

An official of the health department said the vehicles were brought from all the districts except Chennai after they were declared unfit to be run as ambulances, according to the report.

Of the total 216 ambulances, 107 are in working condition. The vehicles that are found to be fit could be utilized for other purposes like free hearses, according to the report.

A 108 ambulance is declared unfit and removed from the service after it had run for over 300,000 kilometres, considering the damage caused to the vehicle due to extensive usage in emergency medical services.